Merwin Hulbert POCKET ARMY .44WCF

Here's an uncommon antique Merwin Hulbert "3rd Model Pocket Army" Single-Action revolver. This revolver is chambered for the .44-40 Winchester cartridge and wears the desirable 3-1/2" barrel. The most notable feature that made the Merwin Hulbert revolvers stand out from the competition was the unique "twist & pull" design for opening the action and quickly ejecting empty shells. By releasing the latch at the bottom/front of the frame, the barrel is freed to rotate 90-degrees and then come forward, bringing the cylinder with it, just far enough to allow the spent cases to fall free while the unfired shells would remain in the gun! This greatly reduced the time needed to reload versus a Colt with its one-at-a-time ejection of empty shells. Loading is accomplished through a sliding gate on the right side of the frame. Pressing the latch on the right side of the barrel allowed the barrel and cylinder to be released from the frame for easy cleaning. The bottom of the birds-head grip frame features a formidable "skull crusher" extension with a hole for a lanyard. Overall condition is very good and the revolver functions well. It indexes properly, locks up well, and exhibits the "suction" caused by the closely toleranced parts. The bore is good .
Although definitive information is scarce, it is believed this Third Model Pocket Army would have been manufactured in about 1886.
A great revolver of advanced design...many believe the Merwin Hulbert was the finest handgun available in its day.